Bid or No Bid

 The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has declared a failure of bidding for the P2.2-billion maintenance contract for the Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT-3) after no bidders showed up.

MRT-3 and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) spokesman Hernando Cabrera said the government is now reviewing the terms of reference of the three-year maintenance contract due to the issues raised by prospective bidders.

Who Gains From MRT 3 Buyout?

There are yet again several controversies surrounding this plan of a buyout. People have wondered why all of the sudden Aquino wants to push through with this expensive buyout which will cost us P56 Billion pesos to complete. Aquino stated that it was to end the huge rental fees the government pays for private sector who owns the MRT3. It was estimated that this buyout will be finalized on the first quarter of 2015.

No To MRT Shutdown

Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya has backtracked on his proposal for a temporary shutdown of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT). Even if he didn't backtrack I still wouldn't say yes to this plan. The operations of MRT-3 have been hampered by a series of breakdowns brought about by broken rails, non-working communications system as well as floods. Last Aug. 13, a train overshot the Taft Avenue station and hit a concrete barrier, injuring at least 36 passengers.

The MRT Mess

The Senate public services committee turned into a mediator while the Department of Transportation and Communications chief Joseph Emilio "Jun" Abaya and Fil-Estate and MRT Holdings Chair Roberto Sobrepeña gave their respective sides to the story on the sorry state of the mass rail transit system MRT 3. Bob Sobrepeña revealed MRTC tried four times to buy new trains for the mass rail system as early as 2004, but there was no action on the part of DOTC.

MRT Crossroads

The Metro Rail Transit Corporation expresses concerns on the purchasing of new trains which are scheduled to arrive next year may not be compatible with the system. MRTC Chairman Robert John Bob Sobrepeña says the DOTC has kept them out of the loop in MRT Holdings operations. He adds, they were not consulted on the purchase of the new trains.

Malacañang is quick to rally, defend, coddle (pick any of those that will all work just the same) behind embattled Transportation and Communications Secretary Jun Abaya.Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda affirmed that Abaya is ready to clear his name on the alleged anomalous Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 contract although he would not be compelled to go on leave pending the investigation by the Ombudsman. But still to be tagged  as Abaya corruption you should have delicadeza to resign.

According to him this is another arena where Secretary Jun Abaya will be willing and ready to face whatever accusation is hurled against him. Why can’t he do it now? Why will he have to wait til he is asked to do so?

Government Should Reach Out To MRTC

I think the government should dialogue with MRTC so they can improve the system, the spare-parts condition, improve the maintenance, bring about new trains—together. Because that’s how it was envisioned in the agreement. We own it, they operate. We have to work together,Bob Sobrepena's first live interview about MRT expalined a lot of things.